Coronavirus: Latest Updates and Tips
The coronavirus pandemic impacts everyone. But it creates added challenges for some people. That includes kids and adults with learning differences or disabilities. We’ve created this COVID-19 resource to help people who learn and think differently thrive at home, at school, and at work.
We’ll be providing updates on issues that impact learning, special education, talking with kids, and working from home. So keep checking back.
To stay informed on the health aspects of the virus, you can get updates at the Centers for Disease Control website. Your state health department and school district may be other good resources. So is the American Academy of Pediatrics.
How to Talk About the Coronavirus With Kids
It’s natural for kids to have questions and concerns about the coronavirus. But kids who learn and think differently may have challenges that make it harder to understand or cope with this health crisis. Get tips for talking about the coronavirus with kids.
Here’s how to handle specific issues that may come up:
School Closings and Distance Learning
Many schools are closed for the rest of the year, and families and educators are looking for ways to make the most of distance learning. Understood remains focused on supporting the 1 in 5 who learn and think differently. But with so many students struggling to adjust, Understood’s Amanda Morin points out that every child is the 1 in 5 right now.
The following are especially geared toward educators:
These resources can help teachers support emotional health during distance learning:
At-Home Activities, Schedules, and More
If kids have to stay home or activities are canceled because of the virus, it can be hard to find ways to keep them busy.
How Families Are Coping
Families have been through so many changes these past few months. Learning from home. Working from home. New routines or maybe no routines. Explore stories about how families are coping.
New Community Groups and Partner Sites
Understood just launched two new communities. Privacy settings for the groups mean that only members can see who’s in the group and what they post.
Support for Understood Families: Connect on Facebook with families like yours who understand what it’s like to learn and think differently.
COVID-19 Resources & Support: Connect on Understood and get your questions answered by families like yours and by our team of experts.
Understood is also proud to partner with three new coalition sites that are providing free resources to help transition to online and at-home learning:
Educating All Learners (for teachers whose students have IEPs)
Learning Keeps Going (for families and teachers)
WideOpenSchool.org (for families and teachers; curated by Understood founding partner Common Sense Media)
Disability Issues at Work
The current health crisis may raise workplace questions when it comes to employees with disabilities.
The following are especially geared toward employees and job seekers:
The following are especially geared toward employers:
Coronavirus News and Tools: Weekly Roundups
See the weekly roundups of coronavirus news and free resources we put together during the first month of school closures.